ORLANDO, Fla. -- With the offense struggling and two regulars not available for action, the Kansas State Wildcats decided it was time to play some improved team basketball at the Old Spice Classic. As it turned out, the Wildcats needed every bit of determination they could muster to beat Central Florida 73-71 in overtime Friday night at the Milk House.

After losing in the first round of the event to George Mason on Thursday night, K-State needed a better overall effort to sustain the Wildcats until freshmen Michael Beasley and Jacob Pullen lit the Wildcats' offensive fire. However, the offense didn't last for the Wildcats; they squandered a 13-point lead in the second half and found themselves in a heated battle.

"I told you guys last night -- that's why we came to this tournament, to challenge our guys," K-State coach Frank Martin said. "You saw a bunch of young bucks growing up out there tonight, and even some of our upper classmen who haven't played as much step up and do great things."

Beasley finished with his standard 30 points to go with 13 rebounds, while Pullen poured in 19, 12 of which came off four second-half 3-pointers. Freshman center Ron Anderson added 11 points and eight rebounds.